Hydraulic valve



Oct. 17,, 1939. 5 NQRDSTRQM 2,176,594

HYDRAULIC VALVE Filed May 23, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Jven J.lYardisfram I ATTORNEY.

Ogt. 17, 1939. s. .1. NORDSTROM HYDRAULI C VALVE Filed May 23, 1936 4Sheets-Sheet 3 h r W 5+ H I w an m 8 mm w m w N mm 8 N 0 w Kw I w E w mk g Q% N Q 1 7 R I f/ N Qm i I m (N ATTORNEY.

Oct. 17, 19 5. J. NORDSTROM HYDRAULIC VALVE Filed May 23, 1936 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES HYDRAULIC VALVE SvenJ. Nordstrom, Piedmont, C'alif., assignor to Merco Nordstrom ValveCompany, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application May 23,1936, Serial No. 81,458

. 1 Claim.

This invention relates to valves for controlling the flow of fluid, andrelates more particularly to valves having expansible sections which areexpanded by fluid or Spring pressure into sealing relationship with thevalve seat.

In closed fluid conduit systems such as water works, sewage systems andthe like, valves of relatively large size are frequently required. Inthe heretofore known valves used in such installations the large size ofthe valve and its resistance to movement requires that a large force beavailable for moving the valve, and it has been difficult to accomplishcomplete sealing against leakage past the valve.

7 Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a valveconstruction which may be made in large sizes and which is easy tooperate between open and closed positions. I

It is a further object of the invention to provide a valve which isoperated by fluid pressure,

and the operation of which may be controlled.

from a point remote from the valve itself.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a valve which willoperate easily and smoothly between open and closed positions so as toeliminate liability of the valve becoming stuck in its casing.

A further object is to provide a valve having a lubricating groovesystem forlubricating and sealing the valve member.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a valve having asystem of lubricant grooves in its surface which are not exposed to linefluid in the operation of the valve.

It is a further object to provide a valve having expansible sectionswhich are moved into contact with the valve seat by a spring or fluidpressure to seal the valve against leakage, and which may bereleased'from contact with the valve seat to permit easy operation ofthe valve.

Still another object is the provision of a valve having retractiblemembers adapted to engage the valve seat, and wherein means is providedfor lubricating the valve seat to reduce wear and friction and assist inthe sealing of the valve.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a piston typeof valve having an indicator extending to the exterior of the casing sothat the position of the valve may be determined by noting the positionof the indicator.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the annexed drawings taken in connection with thefollowing o specification wherein:

Figure 1 is a horizontal cross section view of a preferred. modificationtaken on the line I-I of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section view taken on the line IIII ofFigure 1;

Figure"? shows a modification in vertical section taken on line VII-VIIof Figure 8;

Figure 8 is a cross section view taken on line VHF-VIII of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross section view taken on line IX-IX of Figure '7;

Figure 10 is an elevation of one of the plug members;

Figure 11 is a horizontal cross section of a further modification takenon line XI-XI of Figure 12;

Figure 12 is a horizontal cross section view taken on line XII-XII ofFigure 11; and

Figure 13 is a transverse cross section 'view taken on line HII--XI1T ofFigure 11.

Referring to the drawings, and specifically to Figures 1 to 6 in whichis shown a preferred modiflcation of the invention, the valve comprisesa T-shape casing I having a fluid passageway 2 therethrough terminatingin flanges 3, 4 whereby the casing is connected to a pipe line so thatthepassageway 2 becomes substantially a continuation thereof.' Thecasing has a cylindrical bore extending on both sides of the passageway2, and adapted to be closed at one endby a cover 6 bolted or otherwisesecured thereto and having a threaded opening I therein to which a pipe8 schematically shown is adapted to be connected. The opposite end ofthe cylinder 5 is adapted to be closedby a similar cover 9 having asimilar threaded bore l0 therein for connecting with a pipe I l. Endchambers l2 and I3 are thus formed between the ends of the piston I5 andthe covers 6 and 9 respectively.

A piston valve member I 5 located in the hollow cylinder 5 is adaptedfor sliding axial movement therein, and adjacent one end thereof is atrans-' verse cylindrical opening or port It therethrough adapted tocommunicate with the passageway 2 through the casing in open position ofthe valve. The piston memberl5 has flanges l1, l8 at both ends whichprovide substantially close fitting bearing surfaces that may be sealedby suitable piston rings if desired. A similar flange 20 is formedintermediate the ends of the piston and likewise may be sealed by apiston ring if desired. It will be observed that the passageway I6 issealed by the flanges I1 and 20 so as to prevent leakage therefromlongitudinally of the valve cylinder 5.

The opposite end of piston I5 is bored transversely of its longitudinalaxis as indicated at 22 and 23 to provide circular bores extendingtransversely into the piston body but terminating short of the center ina cored thickened portion 24 providing limiting shoulders 25 and 26.Plug members 21 and 28 are inserted in the bores 22 and 23 respectively,these plugs or pistons being segmental shape in cross section as shownin Figure 4, and having their outer faces 39 cylindiical. interior ofvalve piston l5 between the cylindrical plugs 21 and 28.- Thecylindrical plugs 21 and 28 are adapted to be held in extended positionagainst the surface of cylindrical bore 5 by a spring 3| in the chamber29 fitting into suitable recesses 32 and 33 provided in lugs 34 on theinterior faces of cylindrical plugs 21 and 28. The transverse depth ofthe plugs relative to the piston axis is such that when they are inextended position a clearance is provided between the inner edges of theplugs and the shoulders 25, 26 respectively. The cylindrical faces .38of the pistons are relieved as indicated at 35 to provide .a clearancebetween the faces and the cylinder 5.

A pipe 36 extends through the bore 31 in the cover 9 and is threaded orotherwise secured in a bore 38 in the end of valve'piston |5 connectingwith the chamber 29. A packing recess 39 is formed in a lug 46 in thecover 9 surrounding the pipe 36, and a gland 4| is adapted to compresspacking material therein to prevent leakage along the pipe 36 and allowlongitudinal movement thereof when the piston moves axially. A three-wayvalve 42 in pipe 36 enables the operator to connect the chamber 29 witha source of pressure through pipe 42p, or to adischarge through pipe42d.

The valve is shown in open position in Figures 1 and. 2 and it will beseen that the pipes 8 and II communicate with the end chambers l2 and I3respectively and with the passages 43 and 44 of a control plug valve 45of any suitable type.

The inlet passage 46 of the control valve 45 is connected by a pipe 41to a source of fluid pressure and the outlet side 48 of the four-wayvalve is connected by pipe 49 to any suitable discharge. Passageway 5|in the plug 53 of valve 45, in the position shown in Figure l connectsthe high pressure connection 46 with the end chamber l3 by means of pipeH, and passageway 52 in the plug '53 connects the pipe 8 and end chamber2 with the low pressure connection 48.

The operation of the valve will now bedescribed. When it is desired toclose the piston valve I5 the plug 53 of control valve 45 is turned tothe position shown in Figure 1 so that fluid from the high pressure pipe41 is admitted to the chamber |3 at one end of the piston throughcontrol valve passage 5| and connecting pipe I At the same time the pipe8 connected to the end chamber l2 connects through the control valvepassage 52 to the outlet or low pressure pipe 49.

The fluid pressure in chamber l3 thereupon moves the pistonlongitudinally from left to right as viewed in Figures 1 and 2 to bringthe cylindrical plugs 21 and 28 into position where they block thepassageway 2 through the valve as the fluid in chamber I2 is forcedtherefrom through pipe 8. It will be noted that the spring 3| maintainsthe plugs 21 and. 28 in their outermost position against the cylinderwall 5. The spring action is independent of the amount of line pressurebecause leakage into chamber 29 of line fluid equalizes the effect ofline pressure. The tube 36 travels with the piston and serves as anindicator to indicate the position ,of the valve. Should the valve bedifficult to move the pres- A chamber 29 thus is provided on the shownin Figure 2 to connect chamber 29 with the source of pressure deliveredfrom pipe 42p. The piston valve I5 is opened by turning the controlvalve counterclockwise through 90 to bring control valve passage 52'into communication with pipes 41 and 8, and control valve passage 5|into communication with pipes II and 49.

In the modification shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10, corresponding partsare indicated by like numerals. In this modification a piston 55 islocated in the casing and has a transverse bore 56 therethrough adaptedto register with the fluid passageway 2 in open position of the valve.In Figures 7 and 8 the valve is shown in closed position. At one end thecylinder 55 is transversely bored as indicated at 51 and 58, the boresterminating in shoulders 59 and 69 adjacent the center, providing athickened portion 6| in the valve piston. Plug members 6| and 62 whichare segmental shaped in cross section are inserted in the bores 51 and58 respectively, the outer faces 63 of these pistons being cylindrical.The cylindrical plugs 6| and 62 are held in extended position againstthe surface of the cylindrical bore by a spring 64 abutting lugs 65 and66 on the inner faces of the piston members. A member 61 is formedbetween the inner faces of the plug members 6|, 62, and a central hollowhub 68 held in place by radial arms 69 houses the spring 64. Packingmembers 1| are located in the hub 68 and are abutted by the spring 64 toprovide a sealed chamber 12 on the interior of the hub 64.

One of the radial webs 69 is bored as indicated at 15 and has a boredthickened portion 16 to which a tube 11 is suitably secured, as by screwthreads. The piston member 55 at one end has a bore 18 communicatingwith chamber 61, which receives the pipe 19 passing through a suitablestuifing box 8| in the cover 9. It will be seen that the tube 11 extendssubstantially concentric through the pipe 19 and extends through asuitable stufling box 82 formed in an elbow or T-fitting 83 threaded onthe outer end of pipe 19. A screw or piston 80 threaded into tube 11forces lubricant before it with chamber 12. The pipe 84 connected to thefitting 83 carries a three way valve (not shown) similar to valve 42with similar pressure and discharge connections.

As the cylindrical plugs 6| and 62 are exactly alike in constructiononly one plug will be described in detail. The plug 6| has a 'circularrecess or bore 85 in its cylindrical face in which a filler member. islocated and held in place by countersunk screws 81, suitable spacingwashers 88 providing a clearance 89 between the filler member 86 and thecylindrical plug 6|. The plug 6| has a transverse borev 9| whichcommunicates at one end with the central chamber 12 within the hub 64,and at the other end with the clearance 89. i

The operation of this modification in moving the piston 55 between openand closed positions is similar to that described in connection with themodification shown in Figures 1 to 5, a four way control valve 45 beingprovided for this purpose. It will be noted that the pipe 19 whichcarries fluid pressure to or from the intermediate chamber 61 is in freecommunication therewith, while the lubricant conduit 11 connects withthe conduit 15 leading into central lubricant chamber 12 which is sealedoff from chamber 61. When it is desired to lubricate the valve the screwor pis- --ton is turned inwardly thus forcing a charge of lubricantthrough the conduits 1.1 and 15 into .central chamber 12, andfrom'thence through transverse bore 9I into the clearance. 89 andagainst the cylindrical valve seat 5 and cylindrical surface 63 of theplug members. The lubricant provides a'seal to prevent the flow of fluidaround the valve, and lubricates the sliding sur faces of the piston'55and cylinder 5 to facilitate the operation of the valve.

In the modification shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, the piston valvemember. adapted for sliding axial movement in the hollow cylinder 5, hasa transverse cylindrical opening or port 96 therethrough adjacent oneend' adapted to communicate with the passageway 2 through the casing, inopen position of the valve. The piston member 95 hasflanges 91 and 98 atits ends which provide substantially close fitting bearing surfaces thatare sealed by lubricant in a manner presently to be described. A similarflange 99 is formed intermediate the ends of the piston and likewise isadapted tobe sealed by lubricant. It

will be observed that in the ope-n position of the valve-the passageways2 and 96 are sealed by the flanges '91 and 99, and in the closedposition of the valve the passageway 2 is sealed by the flanges 99 and98, so as to substantially prevent leakage longitudinally of the valvecylinder 5. The opposite end of the piston 95 may be cored out asindicated at I 0| leaving a central dividing wall I02 so as to reducethe weight on the piston.

Each of the flanges 91, 98 and 99 have formed therein circumferentialextending lubricant grooves I05, I06 and I 01 respectively, and thereare two diametrically opposite longitudinally extending grooves I08 andI09 in the surface of the piston 95 which communicate with thecircumferential grooves I05, I06 and I01. .Lubricant may be supplied tothis groove system by a fitting I II of any suitable construction suchas Alemite type of fitting suitably secured in a side wall of the hollowcylinder 5.

If desired, an additional lubricating fitting may be employed. For thispurpose, the cover 9 has a thickened lug H2 having a hole H3 thereinthrough which a pipe II4 passes and is suitably threaded into the pistonmember 95. H4 is employed to compress the packing in stufiing box I I5to prevent leakage therethrough. The pipe H4 is threaded into a passageH6 in the piston member which communicates with a diametrical lubricantduct H1 at one end of the valve. Similar diametrical lubricant ducts H8and H9 are located in the piston member at the location of thecircumferential grooves I01 and I05 respectively. These grooves aid inthe distribution of lubricant throughout the surface groove system. Thepipe I I 4 is internally threaded adjacent its outer end, anda suitablescrew I2I is threaded into the pipe. When the pipe I I4 is filled withlubricant the screw I2I may be screwed inwardly to compress thelubricant and distribute it to the lubricant groove system.

The operation of the valve will now be described. The mode of actuatingthe valve between open and closed positions is described in connectionwith the modifications shown in Figures 1 to 10, and need not be againdescribed indetail. Briefly, when hydraulic pressure is introduced wayis formed by these grooves.

A gland into chamber I3 the piston is forced longitudinally to the rightthus expelling fluid from the chamber I2, whereby the valve is closed.When the valve is in closed position and hydraulic pressure isintroduced into the chamber I2, the fluid in chamber I3 is expelled thusallowing the valve to open. When the lubricant pipe H4 is employedwithout the fitting III, lubricant in stick or other suitable form isinserted in the pipe H4, and the screw I2I is turned inwardly todistribute lubricant through the diametrical duct II1, circumferentialgroove I06, and from thence by means of longitudinal grooves I08 andI09, to the circumferential grooves I01 and I05. The diametrical ductsH8 and H9 assist in properly distributing the lubricant. In the openposition of the valve the passageway 2 therethrough is surrounded by asystem of lubricant grooves comprising the two circumferential groovesI05 and I01, and two longitudinal grooves I08 and I09 which arediametrically opposite each other. In this position a complete sealaround the passage- In the closed position of the valve the passageway 2is sealed by the circumferential grooves I01 and I06, and longitudinalgrooves I08, and I09 to form a complete seal around the passageway. Itwill be observed that the grooves I08 and I09 are so located that at notime are they exposed to line fluid.

When the fitting III is employed without the pipe I I4 to lubricate thevalve, it is preferable that some means be employed to prevent thepiston 95 from rotating. This is conveniently done by providing anextension on the fitting III as shown which extends into thelongitudinal groove 28 and thus prevents rotation of the piston. Thisextension has the added advantage that it assists in circulation ordistribution of lubricant through the groove by pushing lubricant aheadof it as the piston moves back and forth.

It will be evident that the longitudinal grooves I08 and I09 need notnecessarily be exactly longitudinal, as there is a considerable areaprovided wherein these grooves may be located without their beingexposed to line fluid.

As the invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparture from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, thepresent preferred embodiment is therefore considered as illustrativerather than restrictive of the inven- What is claimed and desired to besecured by United States Letters Patent is:

A valve comprising a casing having a passageway therethrough for, flowof fluid and a cylindrical bore formed through the casing transverselyof the passageway, a piston axially slidable in the bore, said pistonhaving a plurality of flanges providing cylindrical faces engaging saidcylindrical bore and reduced portions between said flanges, said pistonhaving a port therethrough adjacent one end adapted to register with thepassageway in open position of the valve, a plurality of extensibleplugs having cylindrical faces adjacent the other end of said piston inthe reduced portion thereof and providing a fluid chamber therebetween,means for introducing fluid under pressure into' said fluid chamber tovary the outward force exerted on said plugs, and means independent ofsaid fluid pressure for moving said piston axially in said bore.

SVEN J. NORDSTROM.

